HR1347 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1347 LRB094 20755 HSS 59087 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois are pleased to congratulate Jack Hicks on the occasion of his retirement after 34 years of service to the Deerfield Public Library; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Hicks was appointed Library Director 18 years ago; prior to that he served as head of the Reference Department; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure with the library, the collection of books has grown from 30,000 to 185,000; throughout the years, he led the remodeling, renovating, and growth of the library through changes in both technology and physical space; in addition to repairing the building and the computers, and constructing a puppet theater, writing its scripts, and performing, Mr. Hicks provided the first online information retrieval system in the north suburban area and instructed other communities in its use; and

WHEREAS, Under his leadership, the library was voted "Business of the Year" by the Chamber of Commerce and has also won awards for July 4th Family Day; he is loved by staff and patrons because he is extremely genuine, personable, and a very concerned and giving person; and

WHEREAS, He is a true renaissance man and does many things well, including woodworking and writing, and he has a love of books and literature; he has written numerous library articles and speeches and serves on the Center for the Book and the Illinois State Library Advisory Committee as well as many other library committees; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Hicks grew up in rural Minnesota; he graduated from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, with a bachelor's degree in art and history; he also holds a master's degree in library science from Rosary College in River Forest; and

WHEREAS, He has lived in Deerfield since 1972; he met and married his wife Donna after serving in the U.S. Army; she is a librarian at Northbrook Library; they have two grown daughters, Maren, who also has a library degree, and Sarah; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Jack Hicks on the occasion of his retirement after 34 years at the Deerfield Public Library; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to him as an expression of our deep respect and esteem and with best wishes for a relaxing retirement.